Press Releases
As Methane Emissions Continue to Rise, Van Hollen and Markey Introduce Legislation to Hold Fossil Fuel Industry Accountable for Natural Gas Blowouts
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), both members of the Environment and Public Works Committee, announced introduction of the Natural Gas Blowout Prevention, Oversight, and Liability Act, legislation that would regulate large-scale emissions of natural gas - both flared and uncombusted - and its central component, methane. While oil well operators are held liable for oil spills, there are no federal restrictions or liability for large-scale natural gas … Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s State of the Blueprint Report
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the release of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 2020 State of the Blueprint Report, showing that Maryland is on track to meet its goals for reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, but that Pennsylvania continues to lag behind. Senator Van Hollen has repeatedly pressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on enforcing these pollution reduction goals for all Bay States, including in a hearing and via a … Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Van Hollen, Booker, Senators Announce College Athletes Bill of Rights
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Brian Schatz (D-HI), today announced the framework for a new college athletes bill of rights that will advance justice and opportunity for college athletes. The proposal willguarantee fair and equitable compensation, enforceable health and safety standards, and improved … Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge USPS to Fix Delays and Avoid Cost Increases for Election Mail
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, requesting answers regarding reports of recent changes to long-standing practices at USPS that would result in increased delivery times and costs for election mail, and urging him not take any further action that makes it harder and more expensive for states and election jurisdictions to mail ballots. Despite numerous reports from across the country of slow delivery, mail left … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
Van Hollen Hails Legal Decision Upending Trump Administration’s Rollback of Migratory Bird Protections
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the ruling from the Southern District of New York that the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) M-Opinion is unlawful. The ruling vacates a Trump Administration legal interpretation of the MBTA that freed companies of any liability for oil spills that kill migratory birds. Senator Van Hollen has repeatedly fought DOI on this issue, including in a letter to then-Acting … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Talbot County Council Decision on Talbot Boys Statue
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) issued the following statement after the Talbot County Council voted 3-2 to allow the Talbot Boys statue to remain outside the Talbot County Circuit Courthouse. The statue, completed in 1916, memorializes the names of 84 Confederate soldiers and is topped with a soldier holding the Confederate battle flag.“I am deeply disappointed in the Talbot County Council’s vote to allow the Talbot Boys statue to remain in place. The monument - which was erected … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
As Methane Emissions Continue to Rise, Van Hollen, Markey Introduce Legislation to Hold the Fossil Fuel Industry Accountable for Natural Gas Blowouts
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), both members of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today announced introduction of the Natural Gas Blowout Prevention, Oversight, and Liability Act, legislation that would regulate large-scale emissions of natural gas - both flared and uncombusted - and its central component, methane. While oil well operators are held liable for oil spills, there are no federal restrictions or liability for large-scale natural gas … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Push for Census Deadline Extension to Ensure Full and Accurate Count
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in sending a bipartisan letter calling for the extension of the statutory deadlines for the delivery of apportionment data and redistricting files following the 2020 Census. The Senators urged House and Senate leaders to include the extension in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package.“Extending the deadlines for the delivery of these files in the next COVID-19 relief … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $3,000 to Supply PPE for Frederick County Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $2,700 in new federal funding for the New Mark District Volunteer Fire Rescue Company in Frederick County, Md. through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) program. The funding will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to the fire service community to prevent, prepare for, … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $40,000 to Supply PPE for Owings Mills Volunteer Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $40,087.55 in new federal funding for the Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Company in Owings Mills, Maryland through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) program. The funding will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies for the Company’s volunteer firefighters as they continue … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $103,000 to Supply PPE for Eastern Shore Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) today announced $103,582.81 in new federal funding to the through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) program. The funding will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to the fire service community to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant awards … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Oppose Bureau Of Land Management Director Nominee William Perry Pendley
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to President Trump opposing Bureau of Land Management Director nominee William Perry Pendley."We write to express opposition to Mr. Pendley's nomination to the position of Director of the Bureau of Land Management," the Senators wrote. "Mr. Pendley’s public record, including his … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $100,000 for Public Transit in Carroll County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Andy Harris and Jamie Raskin (all Md.) announced $118,174 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the improvement and modernization of bus systems in Carroll County. Administered through the Maryland Department of Transportation, the funds will allow Carroll County to purchase buses to replace older vehicles - helping to maintain an updated fleet and improving service reliability.“Many … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $1.2 Million to Improve Howard County Bus System
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $1,239,024 to upgrade Howard County’s bus fleet and bus stop announcement system. In March, Senator Van Hollen sent a letter to Federal Transit Administration Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams supporting Howard County's application for funds.“This new federal investment will help upgrade Howard County’s public transportation network by improving … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Nearly $3.5 Million for Public Transit in Harford County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Andy Harris and Dutch Ruppersberger (all Md.) announced the award of $3,437,370 for the Maryland Department of Transportation on behalf of Harford County. Funds were awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT) and will allow Harford County to replace diesel buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses - improving service reliability and helping to maintain an updated bus fleet. “Many of Maryland’s workers rely on … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Van Hollen Calls for Long-Term Student Loan Relief for 43 Million Borrowers Amid COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) sent a letter to Senate leaders urging them to include long-term relief for millions of Americans with student loans in the next coronavirus relief package as negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats continue. The letter comes after the President issued an executive order that only places a three-month forbearance for some student loan borrowers, leaving nearly 8 million student loan borrowers to fend for … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $1 Million in Federal Funding for Baltimore County Fire Department
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced an award of $1 million in federal funding for the Baltimore County Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies for firefighters and first responders as the Department continues to serve Maryland communities amid COVID-19. Yesterday, they provided mutual aid to their brother and sister members of the Baltimore … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
U.S. Senator Van Hollen, Maryland State Senators Hester and Rosapepe Push for Increased Work Share Participation in Maryland and Federally
While Maryland has seen a spike in work sharing applications this year, only 1.4% of unemployment claimants are currently on the Work Sharing program. By contrast, 20 of the 24 other states with work sharing programs report higher percentages of program utilization in proportion to total UI claims, placing Maryland near the bottom of the list. For example, states such as Michigan (19.0% utilization), Washington (17.1%), Kansas (15.6%), Arkansas (14.0%) and Oregon (14.0%) have been able to … Continue Reading
August 10, 2020
On Four-Year Anniversary, Van Hollen and Cardin Seek More Information on Deadly Silver Spring Gas Explosion as Baltimore Reels from Its Own Fatal Event
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) are calling on federal regulators to provide more details on steps being taken to avoid a repetition of the deadly gas explosion in Silver Spring’s Flower Branch Apartments, which took place on August 10, 2016, exactly four years ago. Coincidentally, on this four-year anniversary, rescuers have been responding to a gas explosion in Baltimore that has left at least one person dead.“Although four years have passed since this accident, we … Continue Reading
August 10, 2020
Van Hollen: Trump’s Executive Actions are “Inadequate and Unworkable”; Americans Need Real Relief Now
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke on the Senate floor, where he exposed how the President’s recent executive actions were “more show than substance” and criticized Majority Leader McConnell’s irresponsible decision to send Senators back to their home states without reaching an agreement on another COVID-19 relief package. Senator Van Hollen emphasized that McConnell’s instruction for the Senate to be on “standby” is unacceptable - since neither the coronavirus nor the economic … Continue Reading
